From: Lew Hodgett (no email)
Date: Wed Feb 07 2007 - 22:38:14 EST
Arild Jensen wrote:
>
>
> REPLY
> Inverters generally have a situation with "open grounds" unless they are
> wired according to ABYC standards.
> This is the big factor that distinguishes "marine" from other use inverters.
>
> A normal non-marine inverter has a floating output; meaning neither line is
> connected to ground.
> Marine applications require the AC system to be "polarized" and the
> designated neutral must be tied to ground.
>
> In the case of a portable Honda genset this is not feasible for obvious
> reasons. However as soon as you connect it to a boat system you end up with
> problems. (One more reason why the use of portable gensets is discouraged
> on boats)
> Your IOTA charger evidently looks for a potential between the green ground
> lead and the negative output lead.
> I haven't seen a schematic so have to make an educated guess.
>
> The solution is to have a ground connection from your white wire neutral on
> the genset and your vessel AC grounding bus.
>
> However when you connect to shore you MUST disconnect this ground strap or
> risk accelerated corrosion due to galvanic or stray currents circulating
> through the shore power cord.
>
> I do not know if connecting such a ground strap on your Honda EU generator
> wil create any effects or problems for the Honda safety circuits or self
> protection scheme.
>
> If you never connect to shore power this may not be a problem.
Another fine example of why an isolation transformer should be installed.
Lew
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
|